April 2, 2013 – Two very nice red wines

It is always fun to compare two wines, regardless of how similar or distinct they may be.  Opening half-bottles makes this easier to do.  In this case, I compared two older wines from the 2001 and 2002 California vintages.  One wine is a blend of classic Bordeaux varietals grown on the mountain tops near Cupertino, while the other is a Cabernet grown in a canyon in the south-eastern corner Napa Valley.  The biggest difference, though, seems to be in the style of each of the wine makers.

2001 Ridge Monte Bello

This mountain wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Verdot.  Wine maker Paul Draper’s style with the Monte Bello is focused on control, elegance, and precision.  The wine has a beautiful nose with a definite note of mint on the nose.  The wine is supremely elegant and sublimely smooth, gliding across the tongue as only silk can do.  While not powerful in the way the other wine was, this wine was perfectly balanced and medium bodied with sweet tannins.  On the palette I noticed red and black currants, cherry, mint, leather, and minerals.  This was the most elegant wine I have ever experienced.


2001 Ridge Monte Bello (red meritage)

 2002 Carter Cellars Coliseum Block Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine comes from the steep slopes of Soda Canyon in the south-eastern corner of Napa Valley.  Nearly all of the grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon.  Wine maker Mark Carter’s style is more intense while retaining balance.  The vintage fruits are also more typical of 2002, with subtle notes of pencil lead starting to develop along with the lush fruits.  I noted sweet plum, blackberry, leather, black currant, mineral, cherry, mint, tobacco and tar.  While substituting power for the Ridge’s elegance, this wine offered up much more complexity.


2002 Carter Cellars Coliseum Block Cabernet Sauvignon